Differences in Preparing for a First Interview Round vs. a Last Interview Round

When you start the interview process, your first interview will very likely be conducted by a recruiter or HR professional who is focused on making sure your skill set and experience fit the open role at the company. For example, if you’re interviewing for a data analyst role, he or she will check to make sure you have SQL experience—and if you are vying for a job as a staff reporter, he or she might review your portfolio to assess your writing skills. In other words, first-round interviews are to check boxes and to make sure you’re qualified.

By the time you reach final-round interviews, you have demonstrated that you possess the skills and experience of a good candidate who will likely succeed in the role—and now, the focus has shifted to comparing you to other candidate who also fit the bill for that position.

By a final interview, you may be asked to meet with a panel to see how you respond in a group setting—and how well you fit within company culture—or make a presentation. A final interview may also be a case interview—an interview in which you’re presented with a specific problem and asked to give a good solution, one that you might employ on the job.  

To nail a first interview, focus on appearing professional—both in your answers and your dress. Show confidence, and that you possess the experience and skills to back up that confident demeanor. And come prepared with answers to some of the most common interview questions, such as listing your strengths and why you want to leave your job.

As you progress through the interview process and move beyond checking those boxes, it’s important that you show the unique value you bring to a company. Of course, you can show your value in many ways—but here are three that will be valuable in any industry or field.

The hiring process can be very expensive for companies. They have to train you and invest in your benefits and salary. If you can show that you plan to stay with the company for the long haul, hiring managers will know their money and effort will be rewarded in the future.

If you go into an interview for a job you’re convinced you don’t want, there’s a good chance that you’ll walk away from that interview feeling the same way. But if you manage to wow the people you talk to at that company, there’s a good chance they’ll contact you the next time a better opportunity opens up.

Of course, if there’s absolutely nothing redeeming about a given interview you’re asked to attend — say, the job is a dud and the company’s future seems bleak — then by all means, politely decline. Otherwise, it never hurts to take a few hours out of your day and see what an interview has in store. It just might end up leading to a great job one way or another.

Why does a manager need you, specifically? If you can answer this question, you’ll be giving a hiring manager incentive to hire you. Be sure to present your unique skills and what set you apart throughout the interview—going beyond what makes you qualified to do the job.

It may help to craft a unique value proposition. It’s a positioning statement that explains what benefit you provide for who and how you do it uniquely well. Crafting a story around your unique value proposition allows you the time and space to relearn all that you bring to the table and turn it into a new kind of elevator pitch. The people in companies connect with other people, so allow your unique value proposition story to be humanized. Allow your story to speak of your nuances. Remember, nuance is fearless and steps outside the bounds of everyone else’s career storytelling jargon.

Can you show, in numbers, how you will make the company better if a manager hires you? If so, do it! That could be money you think you could earn the company, or time you could save them by bringing your unique skillset to the team. Many candidates can seem wishy-washy when giving answers—so try to bring things back to hard numbers when possible.

“Numbers are important! Quantify the scope of your work as much as possible,” says resume writer and career advice expert for TopResume, Amanda Augustine.

Accomplishments are currency when it comes to resumes, adds resume writer, Anish Majumdar. The more you have, and the more applicable they are to the job you want, the greater your perceived worth. This can have a big impact not just on whether you receive an interview, but how much you’re ultimately offered.

Front-load the accomplishment, then describe how it was achieved. For example, “Improved customer satisfaction 30% within 9 months through re-engineering support processes and introducing new training materials to staff.”

No numbers? Don’t fret. Augustine assures, “seasoned workers shouldn’t get anxious if they no longer have access to the data that would allow them to quantify their earlier work.”

Whether in a first- or final-round interview, be sure to follow these dos and don’ts!

Do: Come Prepared with an Ice Breaker

In a first interview—or the first time you meet a hiring manger—come prepared with an ice breaker. An ice breaker can be genuine or funny, or both. But whatever it is, use it to foster connection and share your enthusiasm for the job for which you’re applying.

Don’t: Sell Yourself Short

As you move through the interview process, don’t lose confidence! Of course, you don’t want to appear arrogant—but if you appear as if you’ve lost your passion for the job or your belief in how well you can do it, you may find that another candidate gets an offer.  

Do: Show Off Your Hard and Soft Skills

Study the job description: What skills have been called out? Be sure to share the skills in the description that you possess, both hard skills—such as the ability to use software programs—and soft skills, like communication, proper etiquette, and being a team player.

Don’t: Hide Your Personality

As we mentioned above, interviewers want to know what makes you different than other qualified candidates—so don’t be afraid to show off what makes you you. After all, having the right skills and experience for a job will only get you so far—and by the final round, you will need something else to stand out. Show your interviewers that you’re the type of person who’s not only talented but also great to work with. Many job searchers don’t end up getting hired because they act too nervous or come off as too polished or rehearsed.

Do: Make Sure You Bring What You Need

Come prepared to each interview with the essentials. For a first interview, you will want to pack your identification, a few resumes, and business cards. For a final round of interviews, bring along a notepad and pen, portfolio samples, references, and questions for managers.

By the time you reach a final interview, your prospective employer is likely ready to make you an offer. So, before that interview, get ready to negotiate by doing a few key things.

First, do your research so that you know what the going rate for the position is and what others are paid in similar roles at other companies. (You can use Glassdoor’s salary tool to find out what the market rate is for a role and what others have been paid at specific work places.) And in the interview, don’t be the first to share a number. The key is to be patient and wait for a hiring manager to present what he or she thinks is a suitable salary for your experience and skills—then negotiate your salary up from there, if and when it’s possible.

And be sure to keep your emotions in check. The pressure of a final interview and the stress of a salary negotiation can put you through a roller coaster of emotions. It can be scary, stressful, exciting, and even frustrating. Regardless of how challenging the salary negotiation process becomes, make sure to keep a positive attitude and stay professional.

Now that you know the difference between first- and final-round interviews, here are some additional resources to help you be successful every step of the interview process!

The 8 Questions You’ll Be Asked in Nearly Every Job Interview

The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide

How to Interview Your Interviewer

How to Practice for an Interview in 5 Steps

How to Succeed in a Case Interview

The 45 Questions You Should Ask In Every Job Interview

50 Most Common Interview Questions

What Recruiters Want to See at Each Stage of the Interview Process